Method and Device for Securing a Light-Weight Temporary Structure

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a method and device for securing a light-weight temporary structure with weighted objects.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and device for securing a light-weight temporary structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Light-weight, temporary structures, such as inflatable structures are used in a wide variety of instances for quick set-up and easy dismantling. Inflatable structures include children's play houses and lawn toys, such as slides, as well as tents used in recreational settings as well as military purposes and emergency shelter. These structures are generally held in place on the ground by ropes or wires held in place by spikes or jugs of sand. However, in strong winds, these structures have a tendency to become airborne and can cause catastrophic injury or death to anyone inside the structure once airborne.

Therefore, a method is needed to help prevent such structures from destruction during strong winds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a method and device for securing a light-weight, temporary structure from issue related to wind. In a preferred embodiment the structure is an inflatable structure, however, other slight-weight temporary structures such as sheds may also be secured by the present invention.

In an embodiment of the present invention, an inflatable structure is protected from wind issues through the use of a flap or flaps that extend from the outer wall of the base of the inflatable structure forming a seam. The flaps are then secured to the ground. In a preferred embodiment, the inflatable structure is a child's bounce house, however, the inflatable structure can be any inflatable structure such as, but not limited to a slide or a tent.

In a further embodiment the flaps extend from at least two sides of the inflatable structure. If the inflatable structure is irregular or spherically shaped, the flaps should extend from at least 50% of the base of the structure, preferably 75%-100%. The larger the area of the base of the inflatable object consisting of flaps, the more secure the inflatable structure is from wind.

The flaps of the present invention may be manufactured into the production of the inflatable structure, or may be attached after manufacture. For flaps attached during manufacture of the inflatable structure, the flaps may be made of the same material as the bounce house, such as nylon, polyester, polyester oxford (oxford cloth), PVC, vinyl or any suitable durable material. These flaps may be seamlessly part of the inflatable structure or attached by stitching, clamps, fasteners, zips, ties, glue, adhesive, heat bond or other means of attachment.

For flaps attached after manufacture, the attachment may be permanent or the flaps may be removeable. These flaps may be made of the same material as the bounce house, such as nylon, polyester, polyester oxford (oxford cloth), PVC, vinyl or any suitable durable material. These flaps may be attached to the inflatable structure by stitching, clamps, fasteners, zips, ties, heat bond or other means of attachment.

In a further embodiment, the flaps should ideally extend to at least ⅓ of the height of the inflatable structure. The further the flaps extend, the more secure the inflatable structure is against the wind.

Once the inflatable structure is inflated and the flaps are extended, the flaps are secured on the ground with at least one weighted device. In a preferred embodiment the weighted devices are weighted moveable objects such as sandbags, however, it is understood that any weighted object may used, including, but not limited to water-filled bags (or other suitable containers such as cans and jugs), soil-filled bags, or other heavy objects. The sandbags are then placed along the length of the seam between the flap and the inflatable structure. In a preferred embodiment, the weighted objects extend at least 50% of the length of the seam, preferably 75-100%. In a further embodiment, additional rows of sandbags may be added. The sandbags may be in a linear manner, staggered, stacked, or a combination thereof. Alternatively, a flap may be secured by one sandbag that extends the length of the seam with the base of the inflatable structure. The flaps may further be secured by ties, pins, ropes, tacks or similar securing method.

In a further embodiment, one or more flaps may consist of a barrier around the perimeter forming a reservoir. In this embodiment, the weighted devices can be the weighted objects or weighted material such as sand or water can then be placed on the flap and contained by the barrier. The barrier may be permanently attached to the flap or removable. The barrier may be further partitioned to form several reservoirs on the flap.

In a further embodiment, the flap may contain a bladder that can be filled with weighted material such as water or sand. The bladder may have a port, nozzle, or other opening to allow for ease in filling the bladder and securing the weighted material within. In a preferred embodiment, the bladder has a threaded port to allow for attachment of a hose for filling the bladder with water. A threaded cap can then be placed on the port to secure the water in the bladder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 3a and 3b are a front view of embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front side view of the present invention wherein at least one flap consist of bladder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an light-weight temporary structure 1 on a surface 2. The inflatable structure 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 consists of mesh windows 6, an interior 7 and an exterior 8. Flaps 4 extend from the base 3 at seam 12 of the light-weight temporary structure 1 across the surface 2. Each flap consists of a top 10 and bottom 11. Weighed objects 5 are then placed on each flap 4 along seam 12.

FIG. 2 is the top view of an light-weight temporary structure 1, wherein different embodiments of weighting the structure 1 are shown. Flap 4 a is secured by weighted objects 5 in a staggered pattern, flap 4 b is weighted by weighted objects 5 in a straight pattern, and flap 4 c is weighted by one weighted object 5 that encompasses the length 14 of seam 12.

FIGS. 3a and 3b show an embodiment of the present invention wherein at least one of the flaps 4 consists of a barrier 15. In FIG. 3a , the exterior 8 of a section of a light-weight temporary structure 1 is shown. Flap 4 extends from the base 3 at seam 12. A barrier 15 is attached to flap 4 and exterior 8 forming a reservoir 16. Weighted material (not shown) is then placed in reservoir 16 to help secure inflatable structure 1. In FIG. 3b , the exterior 8 of a section of a light-weight temporary structure 1 is shown reservoir 16 includes partitions 17.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the present invention wherein at least one of the flaps 4 consists of a bladder 18. Flap 4 extends from base 3 at seam 12 of the exterior 8 of a section of the light-weight temporary structure 1. In the embodiment shown, flap 4 consists of bladder 18 and port 19. Alternatively (and not shown), bladder 18 may be attached to flap 4 and may be removeable. 

1. A device for scouring a light-weight temporary structures wherein the light-weight temporary structure comprises a base testing on a surface, an interior and an exterior and a height, further comprising: at least one flap, comprising a top and a bottom, wherein the at least one flap is attached to the base of the light-weight temporary structure at a seam, wherein the seam rests on the surface, and the flap extends away from the base of the light-weight temporary structure at least ⅓ of the height of the lightweight temporary structure on the surface and the bottom of the flap is in contact with the surface, and the at least one flap further comprises a weighted device.
 2. The device of the claim 1 wherein the light-weight temporary structure is an inflatable structure.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein the at least one flap extends from at least 50% of the base of the inflatable structure.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein the at least one flap extends from 75%-100% of the base of the inflatable structure.
 5. The device of claim 2 wherein the at least one flap is detachably attached to the base of the inflatable structure.
 6. The device of claim 2 wherein the seam of the at least one flap consists of a length and the at least one weighted object covers at least 50% of the length of the seam.
 7. The device of claim 2 wherein the weighted device is a weighted moveable object.
 8. The device of claim 2 wherein the at least one flap further comprises a bladder.
 9. The device of claim 2 wherein the at least one flap further comprises a barrier forming a reservoir.
 10. A method for securing a light-weight temporary structure, wherein the light-weight temporary structure comprises a base resting on a surface, an interior and an exterior and a height, further comprising: at least one flap, comprising a top and a bottom, wherein the at least one flap is attached to the base of the light-weight temporary structure at a seam, wherein the seam rests on the surface, and the flap and extends away from the base of the light-weight temporary structure at least ⅓ of the height of the lightweight temporary structure on the surface and the bottom of the flap is in contact with the surface, and securing the at least one flap with a weighted device.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the light-weight temporary structure is an inflatable structure.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the at least one flap extends from at least 50% of the base oi the inflatable structure.
 13. The method of claim 11 wherein the at least one flap extends from 75%-100% of the base of the inflatable structure.
 14. The method of claim 11 wherein the at least one flap is detachably attached to the base of the inflatable structure.
 15. The method of claim 11 wherein the seam of the at least one flap consists of a length and the at least one weighted object covers at least 50% of the length of the seam.
 16. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one flap is attached to the seam uninterrupted the entirety of the attachment of the at least one flap and the seam.
 17. The device of claim 10 wherein the at least one flap is attached to the seam uninterrupted the entirety of the attachment of the at least one flap and the seam.
 18. The device of claim 2 wherein the at least one flap is attached to the seam uninterrupted the entirely of the attachment of the at least one flap and the seam.
 19. The device of claim 11 wherein the at least one flap is attached to the seam uninterrupted the entirety of the attachment of the at least one flap and the seam. 